Chuneng New Energy Rolls Out First Engineering Prototype, Enters Full Vehicle Validation Phase

On July 11, Chunu Auto rolled out its first Engineering Trial (ET) vehicle from the final assembly workshop at the Prototyping Center of its Technology R&D Center. This milestone marks the transition of its debut model from the engineering data phase into the physical vehicle validation phase. The ET phase primarily focuses on comprehensive verification of design, manufacturing, and assembly processes, including validation of production processes and tooling. Concurrently, the company is conducting bench performance tests, bench durability tests, full-vehicle testing, and approvals for interior and exterior color and texture using full-production tooling components. Chunu Auto’s Technology R&D Center is equipped with a flexible, digital prototyping production line featuring intelligent equipment such as seven-axis high-precision KUKA welding robots and automated assembly jig systems. This setup supports high-precision mixed-model welding, full-vehicle assembly, and multi-dimensional end-of-line inspections, covering the entire workflow from body-in-white manufacturing through final vehicle validation. The newly rolled-out ET vehicle will be used for validation tasks related to overall vehicle performance, manufacturing processes, and quality assurance. These validations encompass core systems such as electronic architecture, electrified powertrain (battery, motor, and electronics), intelligent cockpit, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), chassis, and thermal management—providing critical data to optimize performance and refine production processes for future mass-produced models. Earlier reports indicated that Chunu New Energy began expanding into vehicle manufacturing in June 2023, with its automotive division now employing around 100 personnel. The company currently has a battery production capacity of 110 GWh and leverages resources from one of China’s top-five automotive dealership groups, which operates over 300 4S stores nationwide. According to insiders, Chunu’s first vehicle is expected to be a range-extended SUV positioned to compete directly with the Aito M5, with long-term product plans covering both extended-range and battery-electric vehicle platforms.